Sunday, August 9, 2015

Review of ABOVE THE CLOUDS: Endearing Eccentricity

August 8, 2015




The sold-out screening of "Above the Clouds" at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines this afternoon during this year's Cinemalaya film festival (under the Indie Nation set) is an emotional homecoming for this film. It had already been shown in Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Germany and France before it was publicly shown here locally today. It has already been five years since writer-director Pepe Diokno's much acclaimed debut film project "Engkwentro."

15-year old Andy is recently orphaned and has to live with his grandfather in Baguio City. Since they hardly knew each other, their whole first week together was a disaster, no connection made at all. To break the thick ice between them, the grandfather thought of bringing the ever-withdrawn Andy along with him to hike up the mountain his parents loved. However, as they encounter bad weather, dangerous accidents and their respective personal issues, their hike may not be as good an idea as the grandfather had intended.

The story about two relatives forced to live together despite their differences is not exactly new. We have seen this story told in various films before. "Above the Clouds" has two novel ingredients that set it apart from the others. First it boasts of the breathtaking scenery of the Cordilleras where the story takes place. Second, it so fortuitously cast the most unexpected actor to play the eccentric grandfather -- Mr. Joey "Pepe" Smith.

Although they are hundreds of kilometers apart in real life, director Pepe Diokno merged into one long hike various scenic spots in Sagada (including the coffins of Lumiang Burial Cave) and Mt. Pulag (including its awe-inspiring sea of clouds). Too bad the picture quality of the projector in the CCP Main Theater tended to be dim, an injustice to the camera work by Carlo Mendoza certainly brought out the best in the majestic landscape with creative angles. 

While recognizing the production difficulties with regards their shooting locations, sometimes the hike felt aimless, like they were going nowhere. The editing of the various parts of the hike at times felt random and not logically connected to each other. The thing that really bothered me most though was the blatant display of wanton desecration of nature by human litter and graffiti. I felt though that this may have been purposely done by Diokno perhaps to rally against the cavalier attitude of humans on nature. On the other hand, it may give the wrong signals to future tourists who visit those places.

Ruru Madrid did not really look like a 15 year old boy, nor did he act like one. He seemed like he did not have much to do for most of the film but be the aloof, miserable and ill-mannered grandson Andy. However, despite what may look like a one-note performance marked with rudeness and disrespect, he was actually subtly brimming with inner bitterness within. Thankfully towards the end, Madrid was given a chance to actually display some memorable and genuinely-moving acting moments that will linger with audiences.

For Filipinos though, the true joy of watching this film is seeing the Pinoy Rock and Roll icon Pepe Smith in action as the grandfather. It is not exactly that Smith gave a award-winning acting performance, though he did have his effective moments in this, his first lead role. Every time Smith so much as utters a line the audience reacts audibly. His screen presence is simply so strong and riveting that he is the one that brings the whole film to vibrant life. What an auspicious, audacious and inspired casting choice this was! 7/10.





24 comments:

  1. Pretty good review here. With your recommendations being 7/10, I should watch it then.

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  2. That's a good rate! And I must say,you did a pretty good job in reviewing this movie.

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  3. I feel like I would totally watch this film! So interesting! It's really nice when a film doesn't rely on big names to get good results! :)

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  5. That's a pretty high rating, now I'm curious about the film. I've never seen Pepe Smith act, so I'd like to see that as well.

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  6. Oh, I've watched this show! I am surprised that its debut in Philippines is later than most countries like Singapore. Personally, I love how beneath the grandfather's crabby veneer, lurk decades of grief and loss. My heart reaches out to the character when he was lamenting his abandonment of his son, his family and, finally, his own chance at a happy life.

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  7. Haven't seen this film or even heard of it, the high rating you gave it now sparked my curiosity. Will try to watch it one of these days. Hope it doesn't make me cry.

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  8. ive not heard of this before and i definitely know this hasn't been released in the uk. it sounds interesting though!

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  9. I would love to watch this just to witness Pepe Smith in his first starring role. I hope there's an opportunity to watch it here in the US.

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  10. The story looks quite emotional and those countryside kind of slow movie but interesting. I would love to watch this one.

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  11. WOULD LOVE TO GET THAT MOVIE... will be checking fzmovies.net or other online movie sites for it

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  12. 7/10 , then it must be a good one to see. Joey 'Pepe' Smith is he the rock star?

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  13. I could feel how difficult was the hike with what happened to us over the weekend. I like the concept of a hike bonding. It looks like they could have edited the scenes better though.

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  15. i didnt know that pepe smith is doing indie films now... i bet this is a good indie film as it is part of cinemalaya

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  16. i disnt know that pepe smith is doing indie films now... i bet this is a hoold indie film as it is part if cinemalaya

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  17. Is this not in english? I guess one of the highlights of the film will be the scenic spots in Sagada and Mt. Pulag?

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  18. How did they manage that, the bit on "merging" the sceneries? I'm really intrigued... In some ways I miss the old films where what you see on screen, is more likely real than DI...

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  19. I haven't heard of this film in the UK, however it would be one i would like to watch. Indie style films are great.

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  20. I have never heard of this film before. The story line seems to be quite common. Maybe the cast are something that I should take note about. I am not sure this Above The Clouds will be filming in my country or not.

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  21. I never heard about this film but i think this is a good movie i think i should download it

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  22. I never heard about this film but i think this is a good movie i think i should download it

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  23. I haven;t heard about the movie yet but it seems to be a good one. will watch it next weekemd.

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  24. Is it showing in other places soon? I wasn't able to catch any of the cinemalaya entries this year and I hope to catch them in other theaters.

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